BROWNS 13, 49ers 12

The season is saved.

It was a characteristic Browns win: a gutsy team effort under adverse circumstances, and a thrilling fourth-quarter comeback.

I have to admit that with QB Kelly Holcomb having his third straight ineffective game — and considerably hobbled by an ankle injury — I doubted that Butch Davis was making the right call. He showed no hesitation in keeping Kelly in the game, despite having a healthy backup with plenty of comeback experience at the ready. Assuming that Holcomb’s X-rays today show no serious damage, it looks like the coach made the right call.

Now no one can say that Kelly has never beaten a good defense. For getting this team into the end zone twice late in the game, and for his high pain tolerance, #10 was the game’s MVP.

Yes, as the cliche goes, it was a team effort, but here are the other players most instrumental to this critical win:

— Kevn Johnson. His veteran savvy gave Holcomb a throwing target all day, and his good hands never failed him. On a key third down in the final drive, Holcomb couldn’t handle a low snap and was forced to chuck the ball aloft from his back foot. Sure enough, he aimed at KJ, who snagged it at the sideline for a 19-yard gain.

— Andra Davis. The middle linebacker boosted the spirits of the much maligned defense by spearheading a valiant goal-line stand early in the game. He led the team with 10 tackles (8 solo, 2 assists). And they were aggressive tackles, not lucky shoestringers. The ‘Niners running backs averaged less than two yards per carry on the day.

— Anthony Henry. His game-ending interception was a well-deserved prize for a cornerback who has improved noticeably from his sophomore slump season. His tackling on run support was solid, and he deserves a good share of the credit for keeping Terrell Owens and the rest of the 49ers out of the end zone and away from the big play.

— Andre Davis. His fumble on a punt return didn’t help the cause, but he redeemed himself with two great stretches for the game’s only touchdowns. With Dennis Northcutt out due to injury, the Browns needed a playmaker to complement KJ’s possession game. #87 provided the game’s highlights.

— Ryan Tucker. Didn’t hear his name at all, did you? That’s good news. No false starts, no holding penalties, no whiffs on the pass rush. Amid the turmoil on the offensive line, this right tackle has been a bastion of stability. Holcomb felt some heat, but Tucker did his part in keeping the blitz-happy 49ers out of the kitchen.

Those are the top six, but many other Browns will surely “grade out” well when the films are reviewed. Ben Taylor was around the ball with some sure-handed tackling. Daylon McCutcheon held his own against TO and company. William Green led all rushers and picked up the blitz pretty well overall. Barry Stokes survived at left tackle and helped created a few of the holes Green managed to exploit. Courtney Brown forced a fumble on a sack and was part of a defensive line that put steady pressure on Garcia all day. Even rookie Chaun Thompson had two tackles on defense and one more on special teams.

Surely, the team is a long way from being an offensive juggernaut or dominant defense. But this game provided some desperately-needed signs of life, as the talent and attitude finally began to emerge. The idea of returning to the playoffs might still be a stretch, but like Davis’ last-minute grab, it’s a stretch this team has already made, and they can do it again.